Russian orphans look out an orphanage window at a departing adoptive family.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Liza and Nikita

Nikita and Liza

Love, our Russian coordinator, was on the other end of the phone,
imploring me for my opinion of Liza and Nikita, siblings she’d taken a shine to
the first time she’d seen them.She was
giddy as she waited for me to know and love them, and then find them their
family.

But nine-year-old Liza was coughing with a vengeance, miserable
when we met.After a lengthy nap the
first afternoon she awoke with a fever, so chaperone Svetlana was delighted to
find I’d brought a suitcase crammed with acetaminophen bottles to donate to the
orphanages. Though Liza declared swimming her favorite pastime, she was subdued
even in the pool, and the rest of the week Svetlana kept her out.

Nikita, 7, was a thankful little boy, lisping heartfelt spaciba’s whenever I gave him anything, the
only child who never needed reminders.The first evening, when I played Bingo with the kids, he stood
watching beside me until I lifted him onto my lap to play my card.As he found the numbers, I praised him; he
reciprocated with a tight hug, kiss, and proclamation of his love.

Liza plays checkers while humming a song.

The next morning, as Liza played checkers alone on the floor,
she hummed a little song, something Svetlana explained she did frequently during
activities.After a music teacher evaluated
her abilities, her musical talent was recognized. But aside from the humming
and hacking, Liza remained silent on the trip, making herself a challenging interviewee,
which I attributed to her illness. Despite asking many questions, I gleaned only that
she liked school, reading, and painting; that she saw Nikita often, enjoyed playing
with him, and thought him “naughty”; and that she dreamed of having a cat.

Nikita was less hesitant to speak, confiding that while they
sometimes fought, he knew Liza loved him, and he appreciated her kindness and
frequent visits. He liked soccer,
puzzles, cartoons, and kittens, and said he aspired to be a pilot someday. But he hadn’t forgotten the hard times, foraging at a garden
for corn when the cupboards were empty at home.Having endured substantial neglect, a year
ago the kids arrived at the orphanage, where the caretakers had devoted much
time to teaching them skills they hadn’t learned.

Nikita enjoying his glow "bracelets"

Click to Tweet below, and be a part of finding Liza and Nikita's mom and dad.

For her part, Liza liked her new home and its kind caretakers. As the caretaker for Liza’s group, Svetlana knew her well, describing
her as shy but affectionate, and a “very good girl” esteemed for her
tenderness. At New Year’s, children
penned letters to Father Frost, a Russian Santa figure. While some children
disbelieved and refused to write, with Svetlana’s encouragement Liza petitioned
him for a beautiful dress.Through the
generosity of orphanage sponsors, her wish was granted, and she swelled with
pride in her new finery.Svetlana smiled
as she savored the memory.

Nikita was also well-liked at the orphanage for his thoughtfulness,
Svetlana added.He was a typical boy, “emotional,
playful, energetic, and curious.” While still managing to listen and obey, on group
nature walks he’d make time for everything, caring for a dog or noticing a car
entering the grounds in between the required observations of sundry bugs or
leaves.

As the week closed, Nikita showed glimpses of that winsome personality, but poor Liza never felt well enough. And after all of Love's hope, I was left with little beyond a recollection of Liza's misery, and a lament they hadn't had a real chance to shine.

Don't miss your chance to meet Liza and Nikita and
other older Russian orphans as our welcoming group of American families travels
together to their region of Russia July 9-16. This trip could change your life, and theirs! Call (616) 245-3216.

Visit Older Orphans and Bring a Special Delivery of Hope to Eastern Europe

The Russian Orphan Lighthouse Project's trips take you to spellbinding Eastern Europe, where you'll stay with our friendly group of Americans at a country retreat, host the orphan of your choosing, and decide whether or not to pursue a child's adoption. Travelers not interested in adoption are welcome to join us, too; it comforts and encourages the children! Single boys, girls, and sibling groups are available. The Lighthouse Project arranges all in country transportation, lodging, meals, sightseeing, and culturally appropriate activities. For details, contact Becky De Nooy at (616) 245-3216.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. --Mark Twain

Video: Saving Russia's Orphans: The Russian Orphan Lighthouse Project

About Me

My name is Becky De Nooy. I am blessed with six children from three countries: Guatemala, China, and Russia. While homeschooling takes much of my time, I love orphan ministry. From 2004 until Russia shut down to adoption by Americans in 2012, I worked with the Russian Orphan Lighthouse Project, a true highlight of my very blessed life. With the Lighthouse Project, I coordinated 22 trips bringing 179 older Russian orphans to visit potential adoptive families, resulting in the adoptions of 80 children.
When Russian work became impossible, I had time to adopt a fifth child, a visually impaired girl from China, who opened my eyes to the desperation of orphans with special needs. Since her homecoming, I adopted a second blind child, and I have become passionate about helping children like them meet their forever families. For information on adopting or parenting children with visual impairments, or for information on any child highlighted here, please call me at (616) 245-3216, or email me at toospecialkids@yahoo.com.